There is a certain high I get after teaching a class. Even if the class doesn't go well. It is completely different from the high I get after going to a class myself.
When I was a freshmen in college, my best friend Ruby went to China. She came back with wonderful gifts and exciting (and hysterical) stories. She said that there were these 'underground' black market malls where you could purchase the finest of knock off and rip-off purses, watches and a number of other items that really do not truly matter to the story. Anyway, she did this wonderful impersonation of Chinese ladies holding purses up to passersby and exclaiming, "Louis Vuitton, Coach, Prada. Same-same but different!"
That is how I feel. "Same-same but different" after walking out of a class I just took or a class I just taught. Tonight, I taught a class that included two of my very dear friends and one of their 12 year old son's. It was interesting and enlightening, that's for sure. And beautiful. And silly. And exciting. And nerve-wracking And clarifying. And it came from my heart.
I have been teaching one of the girls since before we were required to do any unsupervised teaching hours. We have been growing together in this; me a new yoga teacher and she new to yoga as a whole. I have so much respect for this woman and to watch her put herself in sometimes uncomfortable and maybe scary positions has offered me the opportunity to learn some of the most important lessons in my life to date.
The high I am on right now is full of yin energy. I am relaxed and clear headed. I am ready to eat something warm for dinner and continue reading "The Breath of Yoga." I feel like the edges in the world are slightly blurred. Like everything could just melt together and that would be all right. When I walk out of a yoga class, most of the time even if it was a low energy relaxing class, I am full of yang! I am ready to go. I am energized. I can see clearly and I know exactly where I am in relation to everything around me. These feelings are so incredibly the same yet so incredibly different. So, I thank you Ruby-- and China-- for providing me with the most perfect phrase to describe this incredible phenomenon.
A
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Teacher Training, Magic Tumeric and Yogi Tea
It's been a while. Sorry to fall off the face of the interwebs momentarily.
So much has happened! When I think about my life and my schedule these days, it can be a little overwhelming. With so much gratitude to all I am learning through yoga, meditation and pranayama (as well as my daily agenda planner) I have managed to not become overwhelmed but instead truly embrace all of the exciting and, at times, intimidating changes in my life.
This past weekend was the fifth of nine yoga teacher training weekends. It was, as usual, incredible. I learned a lot, both about yoga and myself. Not that I needed it at this point, but it only reaffirmed that this is exactly what I should be doing and where I should be going in my life. I've said this before, but the truth is before I embarked on this journey I was lost, lonely and confused. The moment I applied for this teacher training program I had an overwhelming feeling of certainty. I wasn't sure what I knew, but I knew I knew it.
Here recently, there have been a couple unfortunate hiccups in the road. But I think I have gotten everything smoothed out and things are getting better. I'm teaching a couple of times a week, practicing at home, going to classes I had never been to before and am also attending an inversion work shop this month! It's very exciting. If anyone is interested in some free yoga with me or wants some company at a yoga class, please feel free to let me know!
I wanted to share two recipes with you that one of my yoga instructor's shared with us this past weekend. In fact, the links will take you directly to her blog which I highly recommend perusing at your leisure.
The first is Golden Milk.
**I definitely recommend using the Almond Oil. I use sweetened Almond Milk so I don't have to use as much honey**
I made this last night because my muscles were so sore and swollen from this past weekend. In India, pregnant women drink Golden Milk the last few weeks of their pregnancy to help promote an easier and less painful labor. Tumeric has so many health benefits it is extraordinary. Tumeric prevents and slows the growth of cancer cells, detoxifies your liver and blood, fights bacterial infections and reduces pain/swelling among many other amazing health benefits. Here is a pretty comprehensive list of wonderful Tumeric magic.
The second recipe is Yogi Tea. Yogi Bahjan is the founder of the Yogi Tea brand. This is the original recipe that he taught to his students.
Sierra, the author of this blog and yoga instructor here in Western North Carolina, was one of his students before he passed away in 2004. I highly recommend both of these.. they are incredibly delicious and their health benefits are extraordinary!
Of course, I'm not a doctor. So do your own research and decide for yourself if the benefits out weigh any possible risks.. especially if pregnant. I'm pretty sure I have to say something about consulting your Doctor before taking any herbs or whatever while pregnant, right?
Hope you enjoy these as much as I do!
XO
A
So much has happened! When I think about my life and my schedule these days, it can be a little overwhelming. With so much gratitude to all I am learning through yoga, meditation and pranayama (as well as my daily agenda planner) I have managed to not become overwhelmed but instead truly embrace all of the exciting and, at times, intimidating changes in my life.
This past weekend was the fifth of nine yoga teacher training weekends. It was, as usual, incredible. I learned a lot, both about yoga and myself. Not that I needed it at this point, but it only reaffirmed that this is exactly what I should be doing and where I should be going in my life. I've said this before, but the truth is before I embarked on this journey I was lost, lonely and confused. The moment I applied for this teacher training program I had an overwhelming feeling of certainty. I wasn't sure what I knew, but I knew I knew it.
Here recently, there have been a couple unfortunate hiccups in the road. But I think I have gotten everything smoothed out and things are getting better. I'm teaching a couple of times a week, practicing at home, going to classes I had never been to before and am also attending an inversion work shop this month! It's very exciting. If anyone is interested in some free yoga with me or wants some company at a yoga class, please feel free to let me know!
I wanted to share two recipes with you that one of my yoga instructor's shared with us this past weekend. In fact, the links will take you directly to her blog which I highly recommend perusing at your leisure.
The first is Golden Milk.
**I definitely recommend using the Almond Oil. I use sweetened Almond Milk so I don't have to use as much honey**
I made this last night because my muscles were so sore and swollen from this past weekend. In India, pregnant women drink Golden Milk the last few weeks of their pregnancy to help promote an easier and less painful labor. Tumeric has so many health benefits it is extraordinary. Tumeric prevents and slows the growth of cancer cells, detoxifies your liver and blood, fights bacterial infections and reduces pain/swelling among many other amazing health benefits. Here is a pretty comprehensive list of wonderful Tumeric magic.
The second recipe is Yogi Tea. Yogi Bahjan is the founder of the Yogi Tea brand. This is the original recipe that he taught to his students.
Sierra, the author of this blog and yoga instructor here in Western North Carolina, was one of his students before he passed away in 2004. I highly recommend both of these.. they are incredibly delicious and their health benefits are extraordinary!
Of course, I'm not a doctor. So do your own research and decide for yourself if the benefits out weigh any possible risks.. especially if pregnant. I'm pretty sure I have to say something about consulting your Doctor before taking any herbs or whatever while pregnant, right?
Hope you enjoy these as much as I do!
XO
A
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